tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169827114383528002024-03-08T04:04:03.967-08:00Carol's Country Kitchencountrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-9088543705655640392008-11-02T15:49:00.000-08:002008-11-02T16:30:35.385-08:00Thanksgiving: Pin the Tail On Tom TurkeyDraw a coloring picture of a Thanksgiving Tom Turkey, and have your child color it. Cut the whole turkey off of the coloring sheet. Then cut the tail feather portion of the turkey off, and glue only the turkey's body portion to a colored sheet of construction paper. Next, glue the tail feather portion to another piece of construction paper or card stock. You may want to duplicate several of the tail feather portions if more than one child will be playing the game (please do not abuse copyrights of printed coloring sheets).<br /><br />Now for the fun part! Place the sheet with the turkey's body on a flat wall where the child can reach it easily. Blindfold the child and stand them in front of the picture. See how close the child can get to placing the tail feathers in the correct spot on Tom Turkey.<br /><br />This game works well with all seasonal characters such as snowmen (using the hat), St. Patrick's Day (using a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow), Cupid's valentine heart (using an arrow, etc. This game works well for one, or a whole group of people for fellowship meetings. Laminate all of the game pieces so they can be used from year-to-year.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-27268119797143953632008-06-11T04:38:00.000-07:002008-06-11T04:57:02.895-07:00Aluminum Foil CreationsAluminum foil creations can keep children busy and be a novice way to share family time together too. You will need to make some simple paper patterns for children to go by for the shapes of stars, balls, buildings, etc. Give the children a sheet of aluminum foil big enough to complete their creation, and then let them get started. You may want to guide younger children, or make a model of what you want them to create. <br /><br />They could spray paint their model with an adult's help. Let them choose the colors, and don't be afraid to allow them to use several different hues themselves to make the project their one of a kind image.<br /><br />Hanging the creation with string would allow it to be displayed for the whole family to enjoy. Make a mobile by hanging several objects together on a hanger, dowel sticks or small tree branches. Have children make a display of the planets for a science fair, or several items they can give as gifts to friends or relatives. Remember to keep used foil for recycling.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-41087391419227511842008-03-11T07:14:00.000-07:002008-03-11T08:01:02.691-07:00Job SearchingMost people who are searching for the perfect job can find it by using common sense avenues. First, know what type of job you would like to be employed in. Narrow the job title down to easily find ads and notices in newspapers, or to be able to tell other people what type of position you are interested in. Use updated information on your resume. Check all addresses and phone numbers from previous employers to make sure they are still correct. Companies sometimes move to new locations and change phone numbers, and you don't want a perspective employer thinking that you are too lazy to double check your resume for updates. It would lead them to believe you might slack off on doing your job in their company too. <br /><br />Use top grade paper for your resume, and keep your list of references updated. An employer who calls a company to speak to one of your past supervisors, only to find they have retired or passed away, says nothing for your character either. Take an extra resume with you in case the employer takes the first resume you hand them, and then asks you to go to another area to fill out a company application. Take two black or two blue pens with you in case one of them runs out in the middle of filling out paperwork. Don't drink caffeine before the interview if it causes you to be nervous or jittery. Always print information on your application unless you are instructed to write your signature. Check out the current date before starting your interview day. <br /><br />Keep a positive and cheerful, but not pushy, attitude when going to a job interview. The best rule to follow about information is to be honest, but don't give a lot more information than what is asked for. The interviewer's time is important to them, and usually a brief first meeting is intended to let them see how your appearance and personality is reflected, besides gaining information not presented on your resume. Look your best in relation to the type of business involved and the position you are applying for. <br /><br />Always have at least one or two general questions concerning the job or company in mind to ask the interviewer. An interviewer usually will ask if you have any questions, and it may be in your favor to seem interested in finding out at least one or two facts about the business. Remember that all interviews should be looked at as learning experiences. Even if you don't get this position, you will gain knowledge that will help in future interviews.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-21643396046736607842008-01-19T05:07:00.000-08:002008-01-19T05:43:59.653-08:00Sea Salt For Reducing High BPSea salt has become an ingredient we are beginning to see used more often in recipes. I have been using it in all of the dishes I cook; and I have not noticed a difference in the flavor. That is a good thing. I am going to try using it in my baking recipes next. I soon will have another blog to let my readers know of this venture in baking with sea salt.<br /><br />I am using about one third less of the sea salt measurement than iodized salt in my recipes. It has certainly helped with keeping my blood pressure under control, and others have told me the same. My doctor first told me to try the sea salt. I'm glad I did. It may be a matter of taste to some people, but I like sea salt. Baked potatoes are delicious when rubbed all over with a mixture of one half tsp. sea salt, a small pat of butter and one half tsp. garlic powder. This amount of the mixture will do for several potatoes. Wrap each potato completely up in a square of aluminum foil, place it in a hot oven until done; and you will really enjoy the flavor! Hint: when using the foil, always make sure the folds are pointing up to reduce the chance of juices from the mixture seeping out of the foil and starting a fire in your oven. When preparing the baked potatoes in this manner there is a crustiness on the outside that is pleasant to most people's taste buds too. This aids in the flavor of the potato skin. This will benefit people by eating more fiber from this vegetable too!<br /><br />Sea salt is becoming a common ingredient found in most super market chains now. If it is not where the iodized salt is on the grocer's shelf, ask an associate if they carry the product. It may be found in the health food section of some stores. Look for it stored with the spices too.<br /><br />As a test for your family, use the sea salt without mentioning the switch from iodized salt. Listen for comments on the taste of the food. Then...tell your family of the change you are making for a healthier style of eating.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-77515048633927952592008-01-04T09:49:00.000-08:002008-01-04T10:19:47.948-08:00Places for Families to VisitPlaces for families to visit do not have to be far from home, or a hardship on our budget. Spending time together is the most important thing about excursions away from home. A visit to the zoo can be within an hour's drive, or you could set up a block party that everyone in the neighborhood could attend. Planning can be the key to having a good time as a family. <br /><br />The first month of the new year would be a great time for your family to set an evening aside for planning on trips and vacations for the next twelve months. Get a new calendar, some popcorn and soft drinks, and make the activity itself one the whole family can enjoy together. This will give everyone a chance to make plans for some of the things that will need to be 'saved up' for.<br /><br />Get a brochure or tour guide of your state, and plan trips and things to do by utilizing all it has within it. These can usually be picked up at state parks or from tourism centers in towns and cities. These guides will list cities and towns all around your state with places of interest and costs, restaurants, motels, and many other interesting facts. A trip to your own local tourism or chamber of commerce office will surprise you with places to visit in your own county that you may not know exist. <br /><br />Children of today are losing out on some of the values that those of twenty to forty years ago grew up with in their families. Computers, cars and other items are things that children of early eras did not have of their own. Some homes had only radios to find out what was going on in the world around them back then. With computers and cable TV, we now have the opportunity to see first hand, right now what is happening 8,000 miles away from where we live. <br /><br />The values and morals of yesteryear can be taught to our children today; but we need to be creative in how to work them into the busy lifestyles we now lead. Starting early by getting children involved in saving money, and planning for things they want and need, is a good way to teach them important things that will matter to them all of their lives.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-582165373272153402008-01-01T09:16:00.000-08:002008-01-04T09:48:24.481-08:00New Year's Day 2008Today marks a new year! New Year's Day should always be a day when we have new goals set before us. Some of the old-time things to do on this first day of the year are to eat cabbage, black-eyed peas or corned beef. A few people through salt over one or the other of their shoulders. But most of us set personal goals such as losing those excess pounds we carry around, doing at least one good deed for another person each day, or fixing a new flowerbed before spring. <br /><br />No matter what you do to begin your new year, do it with a better outlook on the year as a whole. Always strive to be a good person to everyone you meet. That doesn't mean you have to treat everyone as if you have known them all of you life. But give each person a smile, even if you don't have the opportunity to say a word out loud to them. A smile will not only allow people to notice that you have acknowledged them, but it will help your own countenance as well. You never know when you may run into that very same person another day, and it would be better to be remembered by a smile than a frown.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-49377934121843171772007-12-18T04:03:00.000-08:002007-12-18T04:28:25.214-08:00Party FavorsWhen you plan a party of any kind, allowing the guests to take something home will make it extra special to them. The favors can be as elaborate or simple as you like. If you are entertaining a group of ladies, you could fill small vases with flowers for them to take home. Filling ivy bowls with homemade candies would be a treat for them too. Make simple place cards for each seat, or you could make them elaborate enough for your guests to take home as a favor.<br /><br />Shop at party stores for things to make favors with for everyone to have. Or make something for each individual that is different for each one attending. Making the favor yourself will add to the personalization of the gift from you. <br /><br />A peppermint candy cane with a bow and name tag on it can be used for a Christmas party. Use a tea light candle and holder with a name tag sticking out from the bottom for an evening party. This will allow a time frame to be established. A party that lasts too long can become boring for those attending. The tea lights will allow the hostess to know when to move guests to another room for entertainment too.<br /><br />At a child's party, you may want the guests to take part in making their own favors to take home. Keep it simple, and allow time for everyone to finish the activity.<br /><br />Party favors add to the function, and make it a special time for everyone to remember.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-70534656165897294062007-12-09T05:42:00.001-08:002007-12-18T04:02:09.583-08:00Having a Christmas PartyThe first important thing to do is to make an invitation list. Invite as many people as your space can accommodate. Make sure you allow the guests to RSVP, and you will know about how many to prepare for. Send the invitations at least two weeks in advance of the function. <br /><br />Prepare a menu one week before the event, and utilize grocery advertisements to save money using coupons. Prepare as many of the items on the menu ahead of time as possible to keep party day from being hectic. Make other foods needed early in the day of the function so they will be chilled properly before the guests arrive. Have waste cans available if needed for paper plates and other refuse in the table area.<br /><br />Have a specified place for coats and let your guests know where it is, so they can retrieve them when leaving. Make sure the space is large enough that garments don't fall to the floor or get buried so deep that other people's coats get mused.<br /><br />Plan ahead for all activities that will need items such as paper and pencils. Have them placed in the area you will be having the games. Make sure you have extras in case someone comes unexpectedly. Keep the games simple and fun. Two or three games are enough to get everyone involved in. Allow time for your guests to mingle and have conversations among themselves. <br />Thank people for coming to your party, and plan ahead of time to have someone else show the guests out.<br /><br />If anyone brought a hostess gift, be sure they are sent a card within one week for it. Phone everyone who attended the party within two weeks, and let them know their presence was appreciated.<br /><br /><br />Planning ahead is the most important part of any function. If you plan for everything in advance, the party will be as enjoyable for you as it will be for your guests.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-73028966057315429902007-11-28T21:48:00.000-08:002007-11-28T22:11:59.883-08:00Coloring Pages For ChildrenSpend the day making coloring pages for your child to put in a binder. They can come back to their creation when a rainy day keeps them from playing outside, or when they need an activity to use while on a long car trip. Have them trace pictures, or draw some from their own imagination. Use a three-hole puncher to place the pages in a looseleaf binder. Most binders come with a slit pouch on the inside front cover. Put a small pack of crayons in the pouch to keep handy with the coloring pages.<br /><br />Use another binder to keep their 'special' pictures in. Parents can use this binder for a special place to keep all of their noteworthy school work through the years along with their best coloring pages. You can purchase clear pocket pages to keep items in that can not be hole-punched for the binder. Binders come in all sizes. If you have a very creative child, the binders come in four and five inch thick varieties at office supply stores.<br /><br />Making these special coloring pages will allow you and your child to spend time together. It will also give them a project to use when they can't play outside, or need some quiet time for themselves.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-36736277597811090282007-11-28T20:24:00.000-08:002007-11-28T21:00:09.500-08:00Silverware DecorationThis silverware decoration can be used at any time of year. You can make it by using real silverware or plastic ware in different colors for holidays. The looks of the real silverware can be changed seasonally by changing bows on it to different colors.<br /><br />To make the decorative piece you will need one each of a knife, fork and spoon. Using a super bond glue instead of hot glue will assure the pieces stay together over a long time period. Lay the knife with the business end up at a two o'clock position. Next, lay the fork crosswise of the knife in an eleven o'clock position. Lastly, lay the spoon on top of them with the bowl pointing upward. All of the pieces should now be laying with the handle parts touching. Note where they meet with each other, and pick them up to put a dot of glue in that place on back of the spoon, and the back of the fork. Now place them together again in the same position as when they were first laid on top of each other. After applying the glue, you may need to hold the pieces together and blow air on the spot where the glue is to get it to dry a little to adhere. Then do the same to the first two pieces and the knife.<br /><br />When dry enough to hold together, tie a ten inch length of ribbon into a bow at the front point of the handles where they all meet. Cut an eight inch length of fishing line. Tie it in a knot onto the spoon at the point where the handle and bowl meet. Turn the knot to the back of the spoon. Now tie the two pieces of fishing line together very near the ends to use as a hanger for the decoration.<br /><br />You can also add tiny flowers or other decorative pieces to the center of the ribbon bow to enhance the silverware decoration. You can now hang your piece in a kitchen or dining area, or hang from ceilings in restaurants for a season. I have even used green plastic ware with yellow bows to hang on the bottom of a John Deer Christmas tree in a country restaurant. They looked great!countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-81636497785742206522007-11-16T03:10:00.000-08:002007-11-16T03:54:53.219-08:00C D decorationsInstead of throwing CDs in the trash when they are no longer useful, make decorations and other things with them. Before throwing <span style="font-style: italic;">anything</span> away, always think of other purposes it could be used for. You will save money by finding other uses for many of the things we throw away each day.<br /><br />The shiny sides of CDs are great painting surfaces. You can paint scenes on them, or a single thing such as a snowman. You can use the hole in the middle to hang them on a small pin or nail in your home, or attach a length of fishing string through the hole to hang it with on the limb of a tree.They will sparkle if hung by themselves on large trees. The shiny sides of the CD will reflect any light from street lights, vehicle headlights, or other decorative tree lights around them. If the CD has preprinted pictures or writing on one side, simply spread glue on that side, and sprinkle glitter over it. Now the CD will reflect light on both sides! These are very attractive at night reflecting lights of all types that hit them. <br /><br />The CDs make money saving decorations for large city and town Christmas trees. It could become a year-long project for an organization in your town. Paint the CDs and sell them for funding projects. Small children could dab colored dots on the shiny side, and older ones could add glitter to the other side for large tree decorations in their own front yards.<br /><br />The CDs can also be used as reflectors on fence posts along your road, or on each side of your driveway to mark it for better access at night. Think a while longer, and you will come up with many ideas of your own to use the CDs for!countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-10409213983096298222007-11-12T20:36:00.000-08:002007-11-12T20:57:36.933-08:00Branch Christmas TreeThis branch Christmas tree can be used throughout the year for all the other holidays. Find a strong, sturdy branch with many tines. Paint it green or white all over. Put the branch into a small coffee can filled with pebbles. You may want to paint enough pebbles whatever color you like to be on the top layer to enhance the tree. You can also put seasonal colored tissue around the can to decorate it.<br /><br />Miniature decorations can be purchased at most discount stores to hang on the branches of the tree. In the kitchen you can use fruit flavored cereal to decorate the tree. This works well on a patio table outside of a large window if you want to give the birds a Christmas gift too. Very small scissors, spools of thread, needle threaders, bobbins and thimbles can be used to decorate a tree for your sewing table. Use a tape measure for a garland to put on the tree.<br /><br />Tie crayons, erasers, protractors, scissors and such on a tree for a school room. Now that you get the idea of things to use on trees, come up with your own themes for the ones you want to have throughout your home this year. This makes a great project for younger children to do during the holidays too.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-40135964238153868332007-11-08T04:39:00.000-08:002007-11-08T06:05:51.516-08:00Christmas Card ListA recipe file box makes a handy box to keep your updated Christmas Card List in. You can see at a moment the information you need. Writing in pencil will keep the cards neat when information must be changed. On each card include the complete names of all the people in each family, birth dates behind each name, complete address, phone numbers (land line and cell numbers) and email addresses. Keep the box in a handy place throughout the year so you can make changes in both the card list file and and your address book when needed. Getting in this habit will save much time later, instead of trying to find a slip of paper you copied the change down on, or the envelope or letter the person sent you in the middle of the year.<br /><br />I purchase a package of alphabetized index cards for each file of any kind I have. When making changes, turning the next card on its end directly behind the one you need to make a change on through the year will save time too, by returning the card you were working on in front and flipping the card behind back down. If you are not sure if an address has changed since last year, copy the one on the envelope the Christmas card came in onto the backside of the card for later.<br /><br />Leave a space of about 1/4 inch below the names and addresses on the file card, and start keeping the year you sent and received Christmas cards from each family. I use the following method for this:<br />______________________________________________<br />John 3/28, Mary 7/12 Doe<br />33 Joy Lane, Any Town, USA 11111, (111)111-1111, email<br /><br />*2005<br />*2006L*<br />*2007P*<br />______________________________________________<br /><br />You can use a star or check mark to know you sent a card before the year date. When you receive a card back, you can put another star or check mark behind the year date. You may want to put an L or P behind the year date if the person sent a family Christmas letter, or Christmas photo, in with their card for that year. We attach all of the Christmas cards sent to us each year along the edges of our families living room doors to add a decorative touch for the season, and to let those who come to visit during the holidays know we appreciated their correspondence. When you take the cards down after Christmas, put a rubber band around them, and put them in a safe place for later. When you are bored with being house-bound during the winter, pull the cards and your file box back out, put stars or check marks behind the year they were sent, and look on the back of each card to see if there was a change of address. If the address has changed, now would be a great time to drop a note to that person asking them for their new phone numbers, and maybe a change in their email address. If a person in a family has passed away, I draw a circle around that person's name. Doing this will remind me not to include their name on next year's card.<br /><br />This may seem like a lot to do about nothing, but a time will come when you want to get in touch with a family member, friend or acquaintance; and pulling your updated file box out will be much easier than playing seek and find through a phone book, or numerous phone calls to others to find the needed information.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-55150263378777569002007-11-02T07:38:00.000-07:002007-11-02T08:00:12.238-07:00Onion/Dill Cheese Ball RecipeThis is a very easy and delicious recipe for a quick cheese ball containing onion and dill. Get a prepared box of golden onion soup mix (two packages usually come to a box), about 1 teaspoon of fresh dill (diced and crushed), and two bars of cream cheese. Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature. In a large bowl add 1 package of the golden onion soup mix, the teaspoon of prepared fresh dill (or dried if you didn't think to freeze some from summer) and the two bars of cream cheese. Mix them by hand and form into a ball. I use the heavy plastic plates that come in seasonal colors to place the cheese ball on. Wrap the plate with the cheese ball on it in cellophane wrap and attach a bow to the top. I also add to the yummy gift, a sleeve or two of round crackers in seasonal paper gift wrap.<br /><br />These make wonderful gifts for family, friends or co-workers to have on hand during the holiday season. They will keep in the refrigerator for a week (but I've never known of them lasting that long). For those on your gift list that do not like dill, simply leave it out. The above cheese ball recipe is great with only the soup mix and cream cheese. The cheese balls have a better flavor if made one day ahead of time.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-84747352405759977402007-11-02T06:41:00.000-07:002007-11-02T06:56:42.245-07:00Leaf -Fall WreathIn the fall of the year we begin to see many festive decorations. A wreath made of fall leaves is very easy, and will last a week or more. You will need a wire coat hanger and a bunch of fall leaves. Make sure they are different colors to add variety to the wreath. Pull the coat hanger out and shape it into a circle. Take it apart by unwinding the wire. Carefully string the leaves on the wire by punching a hole near the center of each leaf. Push them gently together until the whole wire is full.<br /><br />Now, twist the two ends of the wire back together again and bend the hanger top into a small circle for hanging your wreath. Add a colorful bow near the top, and you are ready to hang the beautiful live decoration on your door. If you would like, add a few walnuts or acorns with hot glue to the wire in between the leaves or directly onto the bow.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-4152592487016595432007-10-30T19:54:00.000-07:002007-10-30T20:15:17.994-07:00Drink CoziesNeed a cozy to protect your table tops? You probably have a few in a drawer and didn't realize it! Greeting cards make functional drink cozies, de-clutter your drawers, and give you another chance to enjoy that cute card that Aunt Sue sent you last year. Save all of the cards people send to you, cut a circle out of a pretty part of them (inside or outside), and use them for hot or cold beverages.<br /><br />Cover the sides of a whipped topping bowl with greeting card pieces you have cut out. Use the pretty front of a large card to glue on top of the bowl lid. After cutting out your cozies, tuck them inside the decorated bowl to keep them handy. You can also sell these at craft bazaars for a couple of dollars, as a recycle idea for scout groups or other organizations. Everyone gets cards throughout the year. Ask people in the clubs you are a member of to save all the cards they don't want to keep, and bring them to a meeting for you.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-61930571134330208242007-10-29T15:02:00.000-07:002007-10-29T15:16:52.728-07:00Halloween Trunk Or TreatingTrunk or treating has become a popular thing for organizations to do at this favorite time of year! You can open up the trunk and hand candy out of a box in it; or you may want a more elaborate display. You could dress up as Dracula and make the trunk into an open coffin. Nothing would scare little kids worse than having the Count raise up with a hand full of candy to give them!<br /><br />You may want to decorate the trunk as an Ark, and have many stuffed animals (two by two of course) tucked in around a very old fellow who hands out the candy all evening. You could even have homemade clouds with bolts of lightening drawn on them hanging over top of the open trunk.<br /><br />Have a whole car sitting in darkness with all the windows rolled down. When kids come near the windows, stick a black, hairy arm out with gorilla gloves full of candy for the brave children who are still standing there waiting on the candy to be dropped into their bags.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-87309583123384869072007-10-27T14:39:00.000-07:002007-10-29T14:14:18.489-07:00Santa's House KeySanta's House Key<br /> by Carolyn French<br /><br />Dear Santa I have a gift for you,<br />And here is what you'll have to do.<br />Use this key to enter our house.<br />Please be as quiet as a little mouse.<br />My Mommy and Daddy both sleep light.<br />If they saw you coming it'd give them a fright.<br />We don't have a chimney for you to come down.<br />Not since we moved to a new part of town.<br />Just put Santa's House Key into the lock.<br />Give it a turn and say, "Tick tock!"<br />It will open the door and let you in.<br />You'll unload your sack and disappear with a grin.<br />I will jump from my bed in the morning and say,<br />"Santa's been here, it's Christmas Day!"<br /><br />You may use this poem that I have made up today to put on a card. Please use the by name with it if you copy it to use. Punch a hole in the corner of the poem card. Attach an OLD house key (that has been painted silver or gold) with a small piece of ribbon. Hang the key on the outside of your door throughout the holiday season. It will give your guests a giggle, and keep alive the joy of Christmas for children of all ages!countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-12010865486098833062007-10-27T14:16:00.000-07:002007-10-27T14:39:20.808-07:00Surprise Chocolate PieTo make a surprise chocolate pie you will need:<br /> *small box chocolate pudding mix *small tub of whipped topping<br /> *1 chocolate candy bar *large graham cracker pie crust<br /> *1 cup chocolate chips *2 bars of cream cheese<br /> * 10 packets of powdered sweetener *small jar chocolate fudge topping<br /><br />Mix the pudding as directed on box, minus 1/2 cup milk. In mixing bowl, place pudding, cream cheese bars, packets of sweetener, and 1/2 tub of whipped topping. Mix well until smooth. Stir in by hand 1 cup of chocolate chips into mixture, and then pour into large pie crust. Smooth remaining whipped topping over pie filling. Shave candy bar over pie. Drizzle slightly warmed fudge topping back and forth across pie. Keep pie chilled until served.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-9435678628744466982007-10-19T16:55:00.000-07:002007-10-19T17:16:46.462-07:00Clothespin PeopleThis craft is handy to use when small people are needed for projects. Felt or fabric can be used for clothing, and bread twist ties are useful to make arms with. Flesh colored felt can be cut out for hand shapes. The clothespins can be painted at the bottom for shoes. You can paint faces on the front tops of the wooden pin, and glue on craft hair, and add hats if you like. Set the people in a small ball of clay, or you can buy stands for the clothespin dolls at craft stores.<br /><br />We have used these people pins for making ethnic world displays. They can be changed easily, and they also make cute decorative pins to wear on clothing. The pins sell very quickly at bazaars when made up in school team colors too. <br /><br />Make a few of them with children in an afternoon, and add some decorated box houses, to complete a play family set. Children enjoy making their own toys, and will be more likely to take care of something they made themselves.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-25077984085471071592007-10-17T04:42:00.000-07:002007-10-17T05:52:09.834-07:00Autumn Leaf Place MatsThis is a project for a child to make in less than an hour with help from an adult. Autumn leaf place mats can be made for a special family meal; and doing so will allow a child to feel they have made a positive contribution. Walk outside together and collect colorful leaves on a sunny, fall afternoon. Make sure there is no dew on the leaves, and don't use leaves with parts that will crumble when handled.<br /><br />You will need fall leaves, wax paper, a worn out T-shirt, an iron, and a hard, flat working space to complete this project. Set the iron to medium heat. You will need two rectangular pieces of evenly cut wax paper for each place mat. Lay the worn out T-shirt on a hard, flat surface. Kitchen counter tops that can take medium heat work well as an ironing surface. Lay a piece of the cut wax paper on top of the flat portion of the T-shirt. Now arrange the fall leaves, in a single layer, on the wax paper . Be sure that the leaves are at least 1 1/2 inches from all sides of the wax paper. Lay the second piece of wax paper on top of the leaves. Salt shakers or a heavy glass are good for holding the pieces of wax paper together until you begin to iron. Starting at one corner, iron the pieces of wax paper together with the medium heated iron. The leaves between the sheets of wax paper will flatten out as you iron over them. Leave the place mat laying flat for five minutes after ironing. You may need to trim the edges of the place mats with scissors to even them up when the ironing process is complete. Clean the bottom of the heated iron with paper toweling to take the built up wax off before using it on clothing.<br /><br />The place mats can be used repeatedly, as long as they do not get liquids spilled on them. They make a great gift for grandparents from a child too. Remember that they will lose their bright leaf coloration after a few days. Enjoy them through several meal times.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-67029484270076431162007-10-13T02:28:00.000-07:002007-10-13T02:53:25.887-07:00Noah's Ark Trunk or TreatIf you are looking for ideas for Halloween Trunk or Treat, try decorating your vehicle to look like Noah's Ark and fill the inside, around costumed Noah, with all of those stuffed animals your children have collected over the years. Draw an Ark on a large roll of brown mailing paper, and tape it to the outside of the vehicle on one side. You could stuff the back window full of stuffed animals too, to prove the Ark could hold ALL of those little critters that were created! Roll down one of the backseat windows (have that window drawn on the Ark at just the right place), and let Noah hand out the candy from there all night.<br /><br />Alright, if you really want to be cramped up in the trunk all night, you could draw the inside of the trunk to look like an Ark. If you live in the country, stuff all those animals around Noah, and have him hand out the candy from a feed sack bag in his lap all night. This kind of sack works really well in the country because all of those farm children have seen a lot of feed sacks over the year's, and of course they know that Noah had to have a lot of feed for all those animals in the Ark!countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-43329486035158810732007-10-12T12:18:00.000-07:002007-10-12T12:57:05.487-07:00Christmas Ornament WreathThere are many wonderful decorations used at Christmas time, and this ornament wreath is easy to make, and beautiful to display. You will need an assortment of round ornament balls of the same, or different colors. Cut a circle template out of cardboard as big as the size of the round wreath you want to make. You will not be gluing the ornaments to the cardboard, but only to each other.<br /><br />Lay the cardboard template on a large table covered with newsprint or an old tablecloth to protect the table top from the hot glue you will be using. Start with the large Christmas balls first, and hot glue them together side by side using the template as a guide, until you have a complete circle. Now you can glue the other sized ornaments onto the wreath in all directions, adding as many as you like for fullness. You can even use sprigs of real holly and pine if the wreath is only going to be used for the current year, but keep in mind that fresh holly and pine will become brittle and crumble easily, and it will turn brown over time. Artificial holly or pine may be a better choice to use.<br /><br />Bows can be used if you want to add more color to the wreath. The bows can be tied around the balls and changed when ever you wish to change the looks of the wreath, or they can be glued on. You may want to have only one large accent bow attached at the top of the wreath, leaving a wire on the back to hang the decoration with. It is best to store this wreath in a box after each season to avoid breakage .countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-63847843789586032162007-10-10T14:07:00.000-07:002007-10-10T14:30:21.497-07:00Finger Pin CushionA simple little finger pin cushion can be made with a 16 ounce soft drink cap that screws on and off the bottle. You will need about three inches of small width type elastic. Measure the elastic around the finger you want to wear the pin cushion on, cutting it to fit your finger and making sure the ends meet. Glue the elastic end to end and allow to dry. The ends of the elastic that were glued together should now be glued to the top center portion of the small soft drink lid, and allowed to dry thoroughly. <br /><br />Push a cotton ball or two into the hollow part of the lid. Now cut a circle of cotton print fabric that is 1/2 inch bigger than the circumference as the lid. Center it over the cotton balls and tuck the edges down between the cotton balls and the edge of the lid all around. Put hot glue carefully down into, and around, between the fabric and the lid to adhere them together. Allow the hot glue to dry. Use the finger pin cushion to hold needles and straight pins when you are sewing small projects.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316982711438352800.post-72806283310949362152007-10-08T15:04:00.000-07:002007-10-08T15:38:35.482-07:00Brushes For Household CleaningAll households must be cleaned and maintained frequently to aid in the health of our families. Many types of brushes can be used for various jobs, and it is best to have a regular routine for sanitizing each room in our homes. Brushes make ideal cleaning tools for many jobs.<br /><br />Many brushes are used for specific areas, such as toilet bowl, and drinking glass brushes. Some brushes can be used for multiple uses, or recycled from one use to another. When a toothbrush is ready to be replaced, use the old one to clean around sink facings, or for cleaning porous textured items such as the outside of suitcases. Cosmetic brushes are useful for dusting computer keyboards and small intricate areas that are delicate such as ceramic figurines. Bottle brushes can also be used to clean automobile tires in between the treads, and the bottoms of shoes where mud has accumulated. Fingernail brushes are also useful to clean around sink fixtures in the kitchen and bath rooms.<br /><br />Be sure to wash all of the brushes with hot soapy water after each use to sanitize them. If possible, stand or hang them with the handle end up to allow the bristles to dry thoroughly.countrycarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15191028937591658302noreply@blogger.com0